A Distant Heart

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Synopsis

Her name means “miracle” in Sanskrit, and to her parents, that’s exactly what Kimaya is. The first baby to survive after several miscarriages, Kimi grows up in a mansion at the top of Mumbai’s Pali Hill, surrounded by love and privilege. But at eleven years old, she develops a rare illness that requires her to be confined to a germ-free ivory tower in her home, with only the Arabian Sea churning outside her window for company. . . . Until one person dares venture into her world.

Tasked at fourteen years old with supporting his family, Rahul Savant shows up to wash Kimi’s windows, and an unlikely friendship develops across the plastic curtain of her isolation room. As years pass, Rahul becomes Kimi’s eyes to the outside world—and she becomes his inspiration to better himself by enrolling in the police force. But when a life-saving heart transplant offers the chance of a real future, both must face all that ties them together and keeps them apart.

As Kimi anticipates a new life, Rahul struggles with loving someone he may yet lose. And when his investigation into a black market organ ring run by a sociopathic gang lord exposes dangerous secrets that cut too close to home, only Rahul's deep, abiding connection with Kimi can keep her safe—and reveal the true meaning of courage, loss, and second chances.

Infused with the rhythms of life in modern-day India, acclaimed author Sonali Dev’s candid, rewarding novel beautifully evokes all the complexities of the human heart.

Praise for Sonali Dev and A Change of Heart

“In Dev’s seductive and complex story of love lost and then found, one layer of mystery leads to the next. . . . Will hold a permanent place in readers’ hearts.”–Publishers Weekly, STARRED REVIEW

“Dev deftly navigates the complex themes of bereavement, motherhood, and how the culture of India exists in America. . . . This is stunning all around.” –Booklist, STARRED REVIEW

Well written and unputdownable

A Distant Heart is my 4th book by Sonali Dev, and the 2nd time I've come across Kimi and Rahul, who 1st make several appearances in A Change of Heart, ( this is something I have noticed in her work, she would introduce a minor character in 1 book, and give them their own story and make them the main character in another { Ria and Vikram - Bollywood Bride} something that I've grown to love ) though at that time I didn't particularly like either of them nor paid much attention to them, after reading this, I can safely say that I have grown to love them both the same way I love Mili and Samir ( Bollywood Affair - My favourite book by her) and Vicky and Ria ( Bollywood Bride, Oh Vicky you heartthrob!!!). Another thing I absolutely love about her books is that everyone is interconnected !!!!!!! but you can still read them without reading the other books and not feel lost and utterly confused..
Now back to the ADH , like all her books at first glance this is light hearted, funny and romantic BUT she always ALWAYS talks about some underlying issue in the (indian?) society.. in this case it's the black market for organs.
Like all her books this too was an emotional rollercoaster, if you're like me, this book is a guarantee to make you squeal, laugh, cry, cringe, facepalm, groan (nearly threw the book away because I wanted to shake Rahul hard but punched a pillow instead and felt a lot better) and of course , angry. Though the dual time lines might seem confusing, if you're truly engrossed in the book then the whole thing will flow smoothly.
This book , for me, though had a tad slow start, was unputdownable once I got into it. It was money well spent, very well spent indeed.

by Ovini E.on January 19, 2018

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4.0

A Distant Heart

A Distant Heart is a friends to lovers story set in India that I quite enjoyed. I loved the way in which the author told it. Showing the hero and heroine's first meeting as children and how their relationship evolved over time. Nothing between moves quickly, it's a slow build up that is very much reflected in the way things are revealed and the culmination of their first sex scene.
I definitely recommend it to one and all.
ARC provided by publisher through Net Galley